Multiple occupancy homes

If you rent out a property that's a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in County Durham, such as student accommodation, you may need a licence from us. All types of HMO must meet our minimum standards, but only certain types of HMO must be licensed.

The adopted minimum standards refer to various types of HMO and these include issues such as:

Means of escape and fire safety

Space standards for bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and kitchens

The provision of adequate amenities, such as kitchen and bathroom facilities

Lighting, ventilation, heating and water supply

Planning permission for student accommodation

Durham City

An Article 4 Direction has been confirmed for a defined area of Durham City for HMOs, student accommodation and purpose built student accommodation. This means you will need planning permission to convert a family home into an HMO. It came into force on 16 September 2016.

Framwellgate Moor, Newton Hall and Pity Me

An Article 4 Direction has been confirmed for a defined area of Framwellgate Moor, Newton Hall and Pity Me for HMOs, student accommodation and purpose built student accommodation. This means you will need planning permission to convert a family home into an HMO. It comes into force on 13 May 2017.

How to apply for a licence

Eligibility criteria

To qualify for the licence, you must be deemed by us to be 'a fit and proper person'. This means that you must satisfy certain checks that we will make.

Application evaluation process

When we receive your application, we will contact you to arrange an inspection of the premises.

Licences will be granted if:

the proposed licence holder and any manager of the property is a fit and proper person

the proposed licence holder is the most appropriate person to hold the licence

proper management standards are being applied at the property

the HMO is reasonably suitable, or can be made suitable, for occupation by the number of tenants allowed under the licence with at least the minimum prescribed standards of amenities and facilities. These include the number, type and quality of shared bathrooms, toilets and cooking facilities.

Implied granting of licence ('tacit consent')

It is in the public interest for us to process your application before it can be granted. This means that you do not have the legal right (known as 'tacit consent') to assume that your licence has been granted just because you have not heard from us within a specified time frame.

We aim to begin processing your application within two days of receipt and aim to grant HMO licences within 14 weeks of a valid and complete application.

Applicable fees

The fee for a new HMO licence lasting five years is £850. The fee for renewal of an existing HMO licence is £700 for a five person HMO and £750 for a six person or more HMO.